Foreign Relations of the United States, 1949, The Near East, South Asia, and Africa, Volume VI

501.BB Palestine/5–3149: Telegram

The Ambassador in Israel (McDonald) to the Secretary of State

top secret

Tel Aviv, May 31, 1949—noon.

408. Herlitz¹ of Foreign Office at residence my invitation May 30 in an hour’s informal talk said:

1. “Gaza plan” had been first suggested by Ethridge to Eytan. Then Israeli Cabinet after long debate voted, with two abstentions, to accept Gaza-Rafa strip and its 250,000 to 300,000 Arabs.

2. Egypt had privately indicated its willingness relinquish strip.

3. Task of repatriating and resettling on Israeli soil this “vast number” of Arab refugees was considered as “gigantic” involving “severe personal sacrifice all Israeli people”.

4. Lausanne “was not on verge failure”. Ethridge was “naturally impatient for results” but Arabs “not” preparing go home. On contrary they sending for families and renting homes Lausanne.

5. Foreign Office and Prime Minister hopeful that strong representation made by US to Israel was also being made to Arab states in appropriate form.

Comment. As Herlitz talked I remained silent feeling that Deptel 322, May 28, could not be strengthened by any commentary of mine. End comment.

McDonald

1. Esther Herlitz, Acting Director of the American Division of the Israeli Foreign Office.